ABSTRACT
[24] A Syrian army under Kulthūm is dispatched to North Africa to put down the Berber revolt, 122/739–740 – it is defeated, Kulthūm is killed and part of the army under his nephew seeks refuge in Ceuta where he is besieged by the Berbers.
[25–26] The caliph Hishām ibn ‘Abd al-Malik (105–125/724–743) sends Ḥanẓala ibn ṣafwān with another army and the Berbers are defeated, 124/741–742.
[27] Balj asks the governor of al-Andalus ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Qaṭan for help but he ignores him until a Berber revolt breaks out in the north of al-Andalus – ‘Abd al-Malik has no choice but to rescue Balj and he arrives with his army in 123/740–741. He promises to return them en masse after the Berbers are defeated – the Syrians under Balj defeat the Berbers but ‘Abd al-Malik reneges on his promise – ‘Abd al-Malik is killed and Balj is proclaimed governor of al-Andalus by his men123/741.
[28–31] ‘Abd al-Malik's sons Qaṭan and Umayya raise an army against Balj – the two armies meet at Aqwa Burtūra and the Syrians are victorious but Balj is killed – Tha‘laba ibn Salāma is chosen as his successor – the Berber and Arab settlers revolt but are defeated by Tha‘laba and the prisoners sold into slavery in Cordova – a new governor Abū'l-Khaṭṭār arrives, 125/743 – he releases the prisoners and settles the Syrians in various provinces in al-Andalus.
[32–37] The arrival of ‘Abd al-Rahḥmān ibn Mu‘āwiya – his story – in the East the last Umayyad caliph Marwān (127–132/744–750) is defeated and the Umayyads are massacred by the ‘Abbāsids – the survivors flee to North Africa – ‘Abd al-Raḥmān escapes capture and joins them – he tells the story of his escape – the governor of Ifrīqiya tries to kill him and he seeks refuge with his Berber relatives in Morocco.
64[38] Events in al-Andalus – Yūsuf al-Fihrī and al-Sumayl ibn Ḥātim conspire against Abū'l-Khatṭṭār – Thawāba ibn Salāma is appointed but dies in 129/746–747 – Yūsuf becomes governor with al-Sumayl as his chief minister.
[39] Civil war breaks out in al-Andalus between the tribes of Muḍar who support Yūsuf and those of Yaman who oppose him – the Yamanīs are defeated at the battle of Secunda, before 131/748–749 – in the north Pelayo takes over Asturias – the Muslims are expelled from Galicia, 133/750–751.
[40] Yūsuf appoints al-Sumayl governor of Saragossa – ‘Āmir conspires against Yūsif in Cordova then flees to Saragossa where he besieges al-Sumayl with aid of Berbers and Yamanīs, 136/753–754 – al-Sumayl calls on tribes of Muḍar to relieve him – the Banū Umayya accompany them.
[41–43] ‘Abd al-Raḥmān appeals to the Banū Umayya for help – he sends Badr with a message – the Banū Umayya under Abū ‘Uthmān join the army relieving al-Sumayl with intention of consulting him about ‘Abd al-Raḥmān – al-Sumayl is relieved and ‘Āmir captured – Abū ‘Uthmān consults al-Sumayl – they all return to Cordova – Yūsuf goes off on campaign in the Upper March – Abū ‘Uthmān pledges his support and accompanies him to Jaén, 137/755 – he meets with al-Sumayl again who gives his support – Abū ‘Uthmān takes his leave but al- S umayl follows him and says he has changed his mind – Abū ‘Uthmān approaches Yamanīs and gains their support – he sends a ship to rescue ‘Abd al-Raḥmān and brings him to al-Andalus.
[44–50] Yūsuf and al-Sumayl learn of ‘Abd al-Raḥmān's arrival – Yūsuf hesitates but al-Sumayl urges attack – the troops are unenthusiastic and urge Yūsuf to return to Cordova and negotiate with ‘Abd al-Raḥmān – Yūsuf decides to send messengers to ‘Abd al-Raḥmān' but negotiations break down – they collect their forces – the story of ‘Abd al-Raḥmān's war banner – Farqad's prediction to al-Safdūrī – ‘Abd al-Raḥmān defeats Yūsuf and captures Cordova – they make peace.
[51–56] Yūsuf and his sons rebel but they are defeated and make peace in 140/757–758 but the sons remain as hostages – Yūsuf is encouraged to take up arms again by his supporters because of their loss of prestige – he rebels again and flees to Mérida, then advances on Seville – he decides not to besiege the city but to advance against ‘Abd al-Rah.mān – the armies meet near Almodóvar del Rio – ‘Abd al-Raḥmān wins the battle thanks to help of his cousin al-Marwānī – Yūsuf takes flight to Toledo but is killed near the city – ‘Abd al-Raḥmān executes Yūsuf's elder son Abū Zayd but imprisons his younger one Abū'l-Aswad and orders the strangulation of al-Sumayl.
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